EasyChef by AGI Solutions

SITTING AT THE DOCK OF KITCHEN INNOVATION

A new concept in heated kitchen utensils is set to change the way we spread butter and scoop ice cream. The inventors are bringing these innovations to market with help digital manufacturer of prototypes and production parts, Protolabs.

EasiSpread

Three UK-based friends, Amit Pala, Ghazi Chowdrey and Imtyaz Ali, were inspired to create their first product after listening to Ghazi’s father vent his frustration at being unable to spread cold butter onto bread.

They realised there was a simple, but highly effective, way to solve this problem: a heated butter knife.

Amit – a senior applications engineer with many years’ experience in defence, aerospace, automotive and industrial electro-mechanical design – began designing the rechargeable, instantly heating knife with its own docking station.

The trio formed AGI Solutions Ltd, and named their heated knife EasiSpread. They entered the British Inventors’ Project Awards 2015, where their invention reached the top 20, gaining valuable exposure at the Gadget Show Live at the NEC.

Simultaneously, the team devised another way to apply their product idea: in a similar way to spreading cold butter, how about scooping solid ice cream straight from the freezer? Using the same docking station as for EasiSpread, Amit designed a scoop that heats to just the right temperature for serving even the hardest ice cream.

With both products, the utensil is detachable from its rechargeable handle, and is dishwasher safe. So, while the knife blade or scoop are being washed, the handle is charging up ready for the next meal or snack.

“We approached Protolabs to 3D print our product, as we knew they use quality materials and with the ability to provide a superb, polished finish. We now have excellent products to take to market, showing exactly what the finished article will look like when it goes into full manufacture.”

Turning a great idea into successful products

Protolabs’ involvement began when Amit submitted his CAD model design for manufacturing into a working prototype. Protolabs analysed the design and used 3D printing technology to develop the design for the handle, knife and scoop into proof-of-concept parts, in the correct plastics. By produced 3D printed ‘show and tell’ parts, the AGI Solutions team was able carry out ergonomic testing, while also having a production-ready part to validate the concept with investors.

EasiScoop

The trio were very happy with the results – as Ghazi explains: “We approached Protolabs to 3D print our product, as we knew they use quality materials and with the ability to provide a superb, polished finish. We now have excellent products to take to market, showing exactly what the finished article will look like when it goes into full manufacture.”

Making everyday tasks easier

Next, Amit, Ghazi and Imtyaz are taking their products—aptly named EasiSpread and EasiScoop—to market through the crowdfunding website, Indiegogo.

In the near future, consumers will be able to see how EasiSpread can help them spread cold butter without tearing the bread, and how EasiScoop helps people enjoy ice cream straight from the freezer.

The products are promoted under the umbrella ‘EasiChef’ brand, giving plenty of scope for inventing and developing more hassle-saving kitchen gadgets in future.